Himachal (The Stellar News): The Cantonment areas located in the State were playing a major role in motivating the youth of the State to serve the nation by joining the Indian Army. This was stated by the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over the Defence Estates Day through video conferencing from Shimla today. Chief Minister said that the Indian Defence Estates Service has carved out a distinct identity in terms of better management of military cantonments located in the country and the state by providing effective transparent and good civil and development administration. He said that apart from the management of defence land, this organization was also discharging the administrative responsibility of military cantonments. He also appreciated the commendable work being performed by the Directorate of Defence Estates for effective management of seven military cantonment areas in the State.
Jai Ram Thakur also appreciated the role of Defence Estates. He said that it was a matter of happiness that all the 62 Cantonment Boards of the state and country as local bodies play an important role in the effective implementation of various schemes of social welfare, public health, sanitation, security, water supply, sanitation, urban renewal and education. He said that Kasauli, Subathu, Dhagshai, Khas Yol, Jutogh, Dalhousie and Bakloh Cantonment town areas located in the State have been developed as ideals of urban management and local self-government.
Chief Minister said that the State Government was according top priority to the education and health sector and these endeavours were being supplemented in the Cantonment areas by the Directorate General of Defence Estates. Principal Director K.J.S. Chauhan said that the Defence Estates was ensuring planned development of the cantonments in the country. Director Defence Estate K.C. Gupta while welcoming the Chief Minister said that out of the total cantonments, seven cantonments were in Himachal Pradesh. Deputy Director Defence Estates Vijay Kumar Bhatia proposed vote of thanks. Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister J.C. Sharma was also present on the occasion.
